CVE-2020-7914 in IntelliJ IDEA
Summary
by MITRE
In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2, an XSLT debugger plugin misconfiguration allows arbitrary file read operations over the network. This issue was fixed in 2019.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2020-7914 represents a critical security flaw in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2019.2 that stems from a misconfiguration within the XSLT debugger plugin component. This issue creates an unauthorized access vector that allows remote attackers to perform arbitrary file read operations through network connections. The vulnerability specifically affects the XSLT debugging functionality which is designed to help developers debug XML transformation processes but becomes exploitable due to improper access controls and validation mechanisms. The flaw exists in the plugin's network handling logic where it fails to properly validate or restrict file access requests that originate from remote network connections. This misconfiguration essentially removes the necessary security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized file system access from network-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the XSLT debugger plugin's handling of remote debugging requests where it processes file paths and access requests without adequate sanitization or authorization checks. When an attacker establishes a network connection to the debugger service, the plugin fails to validate whether the requested file operations are legitimate or if they attempt to access files outside of the intended scope. This misconfiguration creates a path traversal scenario where remote attackers can specify arbitrary file paths that the debugger plugin will attempt to read and return to the attacker. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows access to files that may contain sensitive information such as source code, configuration files, or other system data that should remain protected from unauthorized network access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to development environments where IntelliJ IDEA is used in networked or shared environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from developer workstations, potentially gaining access to source code repositories, configuration files containing database credentials, or other sensitive information that might be stored locally on the development machines. The impact extends beyond individual machine security as developers often work with code that contains proprietary information, security keys, or other confidential data. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain where an attacker first gains access to a developer's machine through this vulnerability and then uses the acquired information to escalate privileges or move laterally within an organization's network infrastructure.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7914 primarily involve upgrading to IntelliJ IDEA version 2019.3 or later where JetBrains has implemented proper access controls and validation mechanisms for the XSLT debugger plugin. Organizations should also consider disabling the XSLT debugger plugin entirely if it is not actively required for development work, as this removes the attack surface associated with the vulnerable component. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to development environments, while monitoring for unusual file access patterns or network connections to debugging services can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-284 Improper Access Control, representing a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and proper input validation. The attack pattern follows typical techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where attackers exploit development tools to gain unauthorized access to system resources and information.